Arabic Food: 20 Iconic Middle Eastern Dishes You Must Try
Arabic food is more than just a cuisine, it’s a story. A story of family gatherings, hospitality, spice markets, centuries of tradition, and the warm Middle Eastern culture that brings people together around a shared table.
From the aromatic dishes of the Levant to the rich flavors of the Gulf, Arabic cuisine is one of the most diverse and celebrated food cultures in the world.
Whether you’ve tasted shawarma, hummus, or falafel, or you’re just curious about what “Arabic food” actually includes, this guide will introduce you to the most famous dishes, their origins, and why they matter.
What Is Arabic Food?
Arabic food (or Arab cuisine) refers to the traditional dishes of Arabic-speaking countries, including:
Syria
Lebanon
Jordan
Palestine
Iraq
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Egypt
Morocco
Algeria
Tunisia
Although each region has its unique flavors, Arabic cuisine shares common themes:
✔ Warm spices
✔ Fresh herbs
✔ Rice and bread
✔ Slow-cooked meats
✔ Olive oil, garlic, lemon, and tahini
✔ Hospitality and generosity at the table
Arabic food is built around comfort, sharing, and tradition.
Famous Arabic Dishes You Must Try
Here are the most iconic dishes across the Arab world — the ones that define Arabic cuisine.
🍢 1. Shawarma
Spiced meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie, thinly sliced, and wrapped in bread with garlic sauce or tahini.
Origin: Levant (Syria/Lebanon)
🥗 2. Tabbouleh
A fresh salad of parsley, mint, tomatoes, bulgur, lemon, and olive oil.
Light, refreshing, and iconic.
🍛 3. Kabsa / Makloubeh
Flavorful rice dishes layered with meat, spices, and vegetables.
Kabsa (Gulf region)
Makloubeh (Palestine/Syria — literally “upside-down”).
🍢 4. Falafel
Deep-fried balls of chickpeas or fava beans — crunchy outside, soft inside.
A vegetarian favorite worldwide.
🥙 5. Hummus
Blended chickpeas with tahini, lemon, garlic, and olive oil.
Creamy. Smooth. Addictive.
🫓 6. Manakish
Often called the “Arab pizza,” topped with zaatar, cheese, or meat.
A breakfast classic in Syria and Lebanon.
🍖 7. Kebab
Skewered, grilled meat seasoned with spices.
Different forms exist across the Middle East.
🍽️ 8. Warak Enab
Stuffed grape leaves with rice, herbs, and sometimes meat.
A beloved Levantine dish prepared on weekends and celebrations.
🧆 9. Kibbeh
Syria’s national dish. Meat + bulgur + spices formed into oval shapes or baked in trays.
Crispy outside, tender inside.
🍮 10. Kunafa
Shredded pastry layered with cheese or cream, soaked in fragrant sugar syrup.
A Middle Eastern dessert masterpiece.
Arabic Food by Region
Arabic cuisine changes beautifully from East to West.
Levantine Food (Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine)
Fresh, lemony, herb-forward.
Hummus
Baba ghanoush
Tabbouleh
Falafel
Fatteh
Shawarma
Gulf Food (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar)
Warm spices, rice, and slow-cooked meats.
Kabsa
Mandi
Harees
Jareesh
Luqaimat
North African Food (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia)
Bold spices, couscous, and tagines.
Couscous
Harira
Tagine
Brik
Chakchouka
Why Arabic Food Is Loved Worldwide
Because it’s…
✔ Flavorful
✔ Healthy
✔ Balanced
✔ Fresh
✔ Comforting
✔ Perfect for sharing
Arabic food brings people together. It’s not just a meal — it’s an experience.
Essential Arabic Food Words (So You Can Order Like a Local!)
Food: أكل (Akel)
Delicious: لذيذ (Lazeez)
I’m hungry: جوعان Jou‘an (for men) / جوعانة Jou‘aneh (for women)
Water: مي (Muy)
Bread: خبز (Khobez)
Tea: شاي (Shay)
Coffee: قهوة (Ahwe)
Bon appétit: صحتين (Sa7tein)
Thank you: شكراً (Shukran)
I want to eat: بدي آكل (Beddi akol)
Restaurant: مطعم (Mat‘am)
Waiter: غرسون (Garson)
Bill, please: الحساب لو سمحت (El 7esāb law sama7t)
If you want to learn more words like these, our beginner course covers everyday food vocabulary and Syrian expressions.
Learn Real Arabic Through Culture (Food Included!)
Food is one of the best ways to learn Arabic and in our beginner courses, you’ll learn:
How Syrians talk about food
Phrases used in restaurants and markets
Daily expressions used while eating
Real dialogues like “What do you like to eat?” and “Let’s cook together!”
🎓 Zero to 15 Minutes in Arabic teaches your first conversation.
🎓 60 Minutes in 60 Days expands your vocabulary in topics like food, shopping, and daily life.
👉 Start speaking Arabic the natural way at SpeakRealArabic.com
